Applespider,

If you have a Goldcard and are using it to get 1/3 off other fares at tickets booths; never say that you want a return from a named station, ask a return from a "zone boundary".

For example, when I get a Forest Hill-Croydon return with my Goldcard, I ask for "Croydon return from zone 3 boundaries" and not a "Croydon return". The former costs ?2.10p, the latter is ?2.70p. Also, it means that when I travel back from Croydon, I can jump on any train that crosses a zone 3 boundary. Catch a fast train into central London, if need be. This use to be ?1.70p before they abolished the cheap day return.

Also, there is no minimum fare or time constraints for getting a 1/3 off when using your Goldcard unlike the Network SE card.

Some of the perks I have discovered whilst owing a Goldcard.

That's why I'm sticking with paper tickets and not Oyster PAYG.